We check in with people at each stage of the cash transfer process to see how things are going. Take a look at some of their stories as they appear here in real-time.
Learn more about how recipients opt in to share their stories.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly does well by giving us the unconditional transfers. With the transfer, I have been able to plan accordingly to ensure I spend it on the most pressing needs that I have. Now that I have no house, I am backing on the money from the transfers to help me build a new house. I am happy and looking forward to moving into the new house once it is ready.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I currently do not have a house. The house fell down because of the weak poles that had weakened. Since then I sleep together with my eldest grandchild at his house. My wife too sleeps with her granddaughters. Because of my financial problems, I could not build another house. I work as a livestock raising livestock for other people to pay. The effects of the drought have reduced the number of livestock that I take care of, which has reduced the amount of money I earn. With the little I earn, I always spend it in buying food for the family. It’s for this reason that I could not save enough money to buy the required items to build the house. When I received my second transfer, I spent it all on buying stones to be used in building my new house.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
1200 KES ($11 USD)
access_time over 2 years ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I received the money at 9 am in the morning. I was heading to a place called Kaloleni at that time to go and look for a job so that I could get money and buy medicine for my son. When I received the money I was very happy. I actually turn around, went back home and bought medicine for my son, and then went to the shop and bought food. I was very happy when I received the money. I was really in need of money for sure GiveDirectly came to my rescue.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The money has made a big difference in my life in that my son was able to get medication during a time when I did not have even a shilling. I am grateful that as of now he is well and is even back in school continuing with his education. I am grateful that the money played a big role in helping him recover from the illness.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Thank you for the money you sent me. I spent KSH 900 buying food for my family. I am currently jobless due to the effects of the pandemic in our country. I now depend on doing manual jobs to be able to sustain my family with their daily needs. Manual jobs are very difficult to find nowadays. This is now becoming a big challenge as I live from hand to mouth. The money I get is always spent on buying food and nothing big since it’s too little to even start any project for myself. I also spent KSH 300 on medication for my son who was also very sick at the time I was receiving the money.
Enrolled
access_time over 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
For years, I have been rearing livestock that belongs to other people. I only benefit through getting milk which I sell in our local dairy to earn income. I am aged, unemployed but again I have responsibilities to meet, like offering food to my wife. These transfers will help me purchase goats which in due time, will exchange for cows. At least I will graze cows of my own.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I'll be a devil advocate if I am to say I am happy. My brother is very sick and we cannot afford to take him to the hospital. The moment I will manage to take my brother for treatment will be my happiest moment.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
My elder brother is ill. He was diagnosed with kidney problem. A problem that has worsened to the extent that he is a breath away to death. He is required to undergo a kidney operation. However, financial problems have stopped us from taking him for medication. His sons are unemployed. Being his only brother, all eyes are on me to offer help. My inability to help my brother pisses me off, the pain he is going through is not something you can wish for even to your worst enemy. This is the biggest problem.
